Developments in dentistry, driven by years of research, have made dental procedures
less painful, fast, reliable, effective, and safe. Innovative technologies such
as digital dentistry, lasers, cosmetic dentistry, implants, nanotechnology,
and nanorobots have had a significant impact on the dental equipment and materials
industry. The increasing aging baby-boomer population, enhanced levels of dental
care, a growing link between oral health and overall health, and rising demand
for specialty treatments have boosted growth in the dental industry. "A
key factor driving growth in the dental industry is the aging baby boomer population
in developed countries and increased expectations from the elderly about optimal
health," note the analysts of this research. "As people age, there
is a greater demand for dental restorations and implants, bolstering the dental
implants market worldwide." Baby boomer consumers are also likely to have
a significant impact, mainly on the implant industry. Moreover, there exists
a huge unmet need, as the penetration of dental implants worldwide is still
low.

Globally, tooth loss, gum, and bone diseases affect millions of people across
all age groups. Several hundred million people are believed to be living with
at least one or more missing teeth. Therefore, there is huge potential in the
dental equipment and materials market for both emerging as well as established
companies. Statistics reveal that 69 percent of adults aged between 35 and 44
have lost at least one permanent tooth due to an accident, gum disease, a failed
root canal, or tooth decay. Furthermore, according to the American Association
of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), 26 percent of adults have lost all
of their permanent teeth by the age of 74, requiring dentures. According to
a recent review by the Clinic for Periodontology, Endodontology and Cariology,
Dental School, University of Basel, Switzerland, nearly half of the adult population
in most European countries has had some type of prosthetic dental restoration.

Companies Opt for Strategic Partnerships Focusing on Operational Efficiency
to Stay in Business

Developing dental equipment is expensive, and the cost of R&D is further
increased because the base technologies involved are costly. Therefore, it is
crucial for funding agencies to fund the right kind of research that supports
the growth of the dental industry. "The equipment segment of the industry
is likely to be most affected because of the global economic slowdown and consequent
credit crunch," explains the analyst. "The high developmental costs
associated with designing, fabricating, and testing dental equipment need to
be overcome."

To meet the cost requirements, outsourcing technology development has been
adopted as a viable option. In the United States, with more people opting for
dental restorative procedures and the escalating pressure on dentists to reduce
costs and improve profit margins, much of the dental work carried out is imported
from countries such as the Philippines, China, India, and Pakistan. "Since
venture capitalists are becoming more cautious about their investment plans,
companies need to devise smarter procedures and technologies to stay in business,"
concludes the analyst. "Strategic partnerships and increasing focus on
improving operational efficiency will be a major cost and time saver for the
companies." Larger laboratories could transfer their work overseas to regions
with inexpensive labor. Numerous laboratories based out of the United States
and Europe already have production facilities set-up in Hong Kong, Vietnam,
and the Philippines. Additionally, companies are looking at the option of going
digital to churn out innovations in order to stay in business. Virtual touch
could be the next revolution in dental technology. Experts believe that digital
dentistry would save precious time, improve quality, and enhance accuracy tremendously,
thereby significantly minimizing human error and ensuring that patients get
the value for their money.